At its final meeting of the academic year Tuesday, the East Hampton School Board agreed to name the new pool at the high school the John J. Ryan Sr. Aquatic Center.
Mr. Ryan, 91, has served on the school board for a combined 28 years. He was first elected in 1993 and served until 2011, then was elected again in 2016 and served until this year. He lost a reelection bid last month by just 26 votes, on the same night that voters approved a $45.68 million bond proposition to fund an indoor pool with a diving board. The pool naming will cement his place in East Hampton history.
“Nothing made more sense. This is a man who has preached about water safety and waterproofing the East End, talked about swimming and the ocean nonstop. We love it, and we got the pool, and his name should be on it,” said Adam Fine, the district superintendent.
Dozens of Mr. Ryan’s family members were in the audience for the announcement, which was a surprise even to them. At the meeting, he thanked them along with the community.
“I am so proud of what this school is. And why is it what it is? Because of the wonderful support we get from the teachers, students, parents, this board, and this administration,” he said. “I am fully comfortable stepping aside. Ms. Sarris Royal will be great.”
Kimberly Sarris Royal, a newcomer, will join the board on July 1. She and Emily Agnello, an incumbent, won the election for two open board seats on May 19. Ms. Sarris Royal was in the audience Tuesday night for the celebration of Mr. Ryan.
“I couldn’t think of anybody more fitting to have the pool named after them. John has put so much into this school district and swimming,” said J.P. Foster, the school board president. “I thank him for his service. It’s been quite a ride with John. He makes things interesting, keeps us on our toes, and we’ll miss him a tremendous amount.”
Along with the pool, last month district voters also approved a $63.96 million bond for district-wide structural and safety upgrades, and an $18.535 million bond for an indoor athletic space with a basketball court and indoor turf field that will be attached to the aquatic center.